Harold and the man talked about dirt work and building ponds, because they live in the same area and know some of the same people. Then we got around to names. The man at the table said, "I am Mike Nuss", then he and Harold kept talking dirt.

But Ted got out his phone and started scrolling through his contacts, until he stopped on Mike Nuss. He just sat there grinning waiting his turn to talk. Boy was Mr. Nuss surprised when Ted asked if his phone number was still xxx-xxx-xxxx.

We had met Mr. Nuss when he leased my dad's land for hunting quail 5 or 6 years ago and Ted had kept his number.

We had quite a visit.

But I wonder, what are the chances of running into someone you know when you are out and about?

We seem to have these things happen often.

Is it coincidence?

Is it luck?

Is it because of our age and the number of people we've met?

I say it's the favor of God.

But I wonder how many people there are around us that we have a connection with,

3/19/11

The whirlwind tour is over and now we are home working in another whirlwind!

It's amazing how beautiful your own house looks when you've been gone for a while! I just stood inside the door and took it all in. This ole shack ain't that bad!

Our bed felt sooo good and being able to walk around it was wonderful. Oh! and a real shower!!

We've cleaned the fridge,washed clothes, mowed the grass, got all the vehicles started and inspected, hauled off trash, unloaded, and reloaded the trailer. The snake catchers on the patio reminded me to clean the leaves off first thing, in case there are critters hiding there. We drove through the dry pasture, but could see that the new seed we planted a year ago had come up thick. There's still million more things to do.

We want to be super ready for the next assignment! (That is speaking in faith, is it not?) When the call comes to be there next week, we want to make a quick exit!

3/8/11

The 12th day after Christmas is Epiphany (the day some believe the 3 Wise Men visited the Christ child. Epiphany marks the start of merrymaking that continues until the grand finale on Fat Tuesday (the last day of self-indulgance before Lent).

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday - the day is the beginning of Lent

(a period of prayer, penitence, almsgiving, and self-denial)

which ends with Easter celebration.

The above is the official definition of Mardi Gras

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, for my observations on Mardi Gras

Some people pay $2,000 to join a social club called a Krewe

Each person pays for their own

costumes, floats, beads to throw and ball gowns

Each person pays seven or eight hundred per parade for beads.

The Krewes do not seem to be civic or community minded,

other than parades and beads.

Every town, large or small has parades.

We have seen five.

The day of that Krewe's parade,

The Krewe rides around all day in a covertable bus, celebrating

In this picture, the Krewe in buses, along with their motorcycle escorts have stopped at the drive in Daquris Store.

The celebrating continues on the float.

Can you see the blue bottle being passed around?

(I guess Louisiana does not have public intoxication

arrests like Texas does)

Today, stores and businesses closed and

the revelry continues until midnight

Some of the floats are very artistic

And the floats are equipped with bathrooms.

Some have Children riding on them

- Bored Children

Most parades have school marching bands

Most of the bands are all black.

The Snyder Tiger Marching Band

never thought of the moves these kids have!!

Here's the Butterfly Queen

And the Swamp Monster Queen

Those are beads around her

- there's some in the air she has just tossed.

Besides beads, they toss a little candy, toys, stuffed animals.

We've even gotten a VCR tape, silk flowers,

and ramen noodle packets.

One guy was throwing dollar bills.

Parade watchers have to be careful not to get hit

in the face by a handfuls of beads.

And speaking of beads

and more beads

After a parade, streets are unbelievably littered with beads that have not been picked up.

Hansel and Gretel wouldn't have any trouble

finding their way home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday

All good Catholics will go to mass for the priest to anoint them with a little oil and ash, and prounounce forgivness of their sins.

Morgan City is known as the "jumbo" shrimp capital of the world. A "blessing of the fleet" is held each year to insure a safe return and a bountiful harvest of the shrimp trawlers. The Spirit of Morgan City is a monument to the shrimping/seafood industry that is a major economical force in the area, along with offshore oil drilling.

Local lore is that the boat washed ashore during a hurricane and was left as a monument.

About Me

I am a wife, mother, grandmother and daughter of the Most High God. This blog was born out of a need to keep my family and friends updated when I started following my husband and his job. The stories here are an extension of my journal as well as my Bible studies. These days, the jobs have ended and we are back on the farm. I hope what you read here encourages, blesses, and entertains you as you pass through the journeys of your life.

Following God

When the Israelites were about to leave the wilderness and cross into the land promised to them, Joshua instructed them to follow the Ark of the Covenant (God's Presence) because, "you have not passed this way before". Joshua 3:4